"Make it Monday" forum - Addressing the Labor Shortage to Develop Next Gen Telecom Professionals

With $2 billion in federal broadband dollars earmarked to connect rural Alaska to the internet, there's a great need for skilled telecom workers in the state. This need comes at a time when there's a nationwide workforce shortage. Alaska telecom leaders are thinking outside of the box and generating creative solutions. “With a surge of new projects coming to our state, it’s a critical time to grow the telecom workforce in Alaska,” said Matt McConnell, president and CEO of Alaska Communications. "Our efforts aim to boost interest and grow the number of highly skilled professionals. We want more Alaskans to consider these important trade careers which directly improve lives in our communities."

PLUS, a new member presentation from Ohenewa Anno of Brushpic.
 

Melissa Caress
Melissa Caress has dedicated her professional career to ensuring trade workers have the training and support they need to succeed in the electrical industry. She serves as the statewide training director of the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust, commonly known as the electrical apprenticeship school. Melissa is committed to safety training and ensuring workers are well-rounded in their education and prepared to go into the field. She is passionate about improving mental health in the construction industry. As a certified mental health first aid trainer, she aims to break the stigma and reduce the suicide rate among workers throughout the industry. She also is active in her church’s Hope to Alaska initiative to help address the mental health crisis across the state.
 

Heather Cavanaugh
Heather Cavanaugh, APR is the vice president of External Affairs and Corporate Communications at Alaska Communications.
 
With the unique combination of a M.B.A. and a background in English and journalism, Heather has a knack for making the complex simple. With more than 20 years in public relations, Heather serves as a strategic business partner, using public relations to drive organizational and business performance. She has worked at a Fortune 500 company, PR agency and now a telecom and technology company in Anchorage, Alaska. As Vice President, External Affairs and Corporate Communications, Heather oversees the company’s internal, external, community and government relations. She is a Top 40 Under 40 Award recipient, an Athena Society member and has received numerous awards for her work.
 

Rachel Jaime
Rachel Jaime is the Director of Human Resources at Matanuska Telecom Association and has been on the HR team for 15 years. She’s worked in different HR disciplines for the last 25 years – managing employee and business needs in different industries including travel and tourism, finance, and telecom. Rachel has been an Alaskan resident her entire life. She was born and raised in Sitka and later moved to Delta Junction, Anchorage and now resides in Palmer. She loves to travel and spend time with family – usually both together.
 
Rachel attended the University of Alaska Anchorage and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in Management. She also has her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute.
 
Rachel has a passion for people and loves to observe the contributions employees make to the companies where they work. She is committed to creating and supporting a work environment that encourages personal and professional growth and helps employees pursue their career goals.   
 

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